CAPTIVE REPRODUCTION

There have been very few captive reproductions
for Morelia boeleni. Miles (1993), Baylin/Memmo (2001), and Leware
(2004, 2006) are the only three recorded in the United States. Many
pairs in zoological and private collections have copulated but have
not produced fertile clutches. Those that did produce fertile clutches
have had difficulty during incubation which lead to hatching failure.
There are many hypotheses why this occurs such as; not cooling enough
during the breeding cycle, lack of sexual maturity, and obesity.
Here lies one of the mysteries to these magnificent serpents.

Courtship
consists of the male rubbing his head along
the female's body while spurring her, trying to position his tail
for a successful
copulation.

Courtship
and copulations can last from several hours to several days. Photo
by Spataro